Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

Stephen Foster;

President of
the International Federation for
Structural Concrete (fib)

it is with honor that I write this short note as President of the Inter-national Federation for Structural Concrete (fib) at this gathering of experts at BetonTage on concrete solutions, taking place in the vibrant city of Ulm this spring of 2024. This distinguished gathering underscores the pivotal role of concrete in shaping a sustainable and economically viable social environment.

Concrete is not just a building material; it is the foundation of our modern civilization. Its significance in our daily lives is immense,
yet it presents us with formidable challenges. As I noted on my welcome message of last year, the IPCC’s 6^th Assessment Report highlighted critical aspects of our journey towards sustainability, pointing out that cement production accounts for about 4.4 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. This stark figure underscores the urgency of our mission.

Our collective focus on developing mechanisms for delivering more sustainable concrete structures and infrastructure is paramount. Innovative approaches, such as alternative binders and high-performance concretes and high-performance structures, are at the forefront of this transformation. This conference serves as a crucible for ideas and solutions that will pave the way for a greener future.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the organizers for assembling many of the world’s most prominent experts in this field. Your efforts highlight the importance of collaborative endeavors in overcoming global challenges.

As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that our strength lies in our unity. The International Federation for Structural Concrete’s role in leading the practice of sustainable concrete structures is a testament to the power of global cooperation. By working together, we can achieve the remarkable – creating a future where concrete builds our cities and safeguards our planet.

I wish all attendees all the best for the conference and for fruitful and productive discussions, and welcome all to the future of concrete.

Yours,

Stephen Foster